Steering away from drunk driving: a restaurant’s novel way to combat the issue as summer draws near

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A new restaurant offers customers a unique incentive to discourage drunk driving.

Four Corners Wrightsville Beach gives a 5% discount to anyone who uses a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft to get there, all to combat drunk driving.

Four Corners Kristian Bawcom said its a novel way to try and stop a major issue.

“In just thinking about how we can kind of combat it, it really did come down to wow, we’ve been trying to figure out how to stop drinking and driving for such a long time,” Bawcom said. “And now with current day people using Uber and Lyft so often, that if people decided to use that, it would help us with our parking situation and it would help with keeping people who’ve been drinking off the roads at night or during the day even.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, impaired drivers are a year-round problem but drunk driving accidents are more prevalent in the summer months.

Arrest data from the Wilmington Police Department shows a slight increase starting in May, compared to previous months.

Since 2020, 304 DWI arrests have been made, with June, July and August all exceeding 230 arrests in the same time period.

Wilmington police lieutenant Greg Willett said the increase is usually around major holidays and vacations and that drunk driving accidents have had a major impact on his career.

“Drinking and driving is one of the most preventable things that you can do that can, if you don’t prevent it, can lead to a horrific tragedy,” Willett said. “Just in my career alone, some of the most traumatic events that I’ve witnessed usually involve car accidents. And out of most of those horrific car accidents, at least half of them, if not more, involve some sort of impairment and that impairment is usually alcohol.”

Four Corners customer Brandon Luck said any discount is appreciated and will make him consider finding a different way home after a night out.

“Its a great idea,” Luck said. “People love to have a good time and might as well, you know, go a safe way. I mean, if they’re gonna give 5 percent, I’ll do it all day. Its not a big deal. Just a great idea for them to give that type of percentage for a ride back home safe.”

If you plan to go out drinking, do not drive for any reason, call a taxi, a ride-sharing app, or a sober friend.

And if you;re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.